Britain's reptiles and amphibians
Written by Howard Inns - Published by Wildguides
Howard Inns is the Vice chairman of the Trustees of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, and has worked in heathland management for 25 years. He displays his encyclopaedic knowledge of all that slithers, crawls and hops in Britain in this very well thought out guide, which includes dozens of excellent photos. The book covers all of the 16 native species of reptiles and amphibians that are found in the UK, as well as 5 marine turtle that visit our shores (including the giant leatherback), and a wide range of other species that are non-native but that have been released or escaped, and that have been seen living in the wild in Britain, including various terrapins and tortoises, the African clawed frog, corn snakes and the Alpine newt.
There are several ways provided of identifying the various species, from quick ID charts that will help you discern those similar species from each other (I still struggle with smooth and palmate newts). Additionally each species is described in great details, with illustrations to match that show male and females, immature, larvae (tadpoles) and even eggs & frogspawn.
Maps show you where you are most likely to find each species, while a wagon-wheel style calendar illustrates the months that each species is active, mating, laying eggs, hatching and hibernating.
How to encourage reptiles and amphibians into your garden.
Three words cover much of what you need to do, ‘pond' and ‘compost heap'. There is plenty more advice about how to attract and sustain populations in your garden, and a good dose of common sense helps.
Click Britain's Reptiles and Amphibians to buy the book from NHBS.
ISBN 978-190365725-6
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